New nursing program attracting significant attention
For many children, getting vaccinations can be a traumatic experience. Not for Caitlyn Pernsteiner.
The 糖心vlog传媒 sophomore, one of the first students to enroll in 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 new nursing program, recalls being fascinated by her doctor visits.
鈥淚 always loved going to the hospital,鈥� Pernsteiner said. 鈥淎ll of my appointments I would watch them give me shots. I always thought 鈥業 want to do that when I am older.鈥欌��
When 糖心vlog传媒 decided to partner with Moraine Park Technical College last summer to offer a bachelor of science in nursing degree, it had students like Caitlyn Pernsteiner in mind.
Beginning last fall, students could simultaneously enroll at 糖心vlog传媒 and MPTC on their way to earning an associate degree in nursing from MPTC and a bachelor鈥檚 in nursing from 糖心vlog传媒 in four years.
Along the way, students will supplement classroom learning through clinical placements via MPTC鈥檚 partners and unique to 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 Cooperative Education program, by working in related jobs which will rotate students between a number of nursing specialties allowing them to explore future career specializations.
Nearly 50% of female prospective students who inquire about 糖心vlog传媒 鈥� students like Pernsteiner 鈥� ask about nursing, so the partnership fills a void.
The program is attracting plenty of attention from prospective students. Since launching the degree, the major has rocketed it into 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 top five in-demand majors.
糖心vlog传媒 nursing students can engage in 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 residential campus experiences including athletics, music and theater experiences, Greek life, service learning and study abroad opportunities.
That鈥檚 music to the ears of Pernsteiner, of Arpin, Wis., who was a volleyball standout at Marshfield High School. She wanted to continue playing volleyball in college, and considered numerous schools, including several that had nursing programs.
She settled on majoring in biology with a health science emphasis at 糖心vlog传媒 and playing for the Muskies and head women鈥檚 volleyball coach Ryan Schopf. She came to LU knowing she would need some additional schooling after graduating to become a nurse.
When 糖心vlog传媒 announced the new nursing program, Pernsteiner was contacted by Kerry Hamm, an RN and director of 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 nursing program. Pernsteiner quickly switched her major.
鈥淚t鈥檚 perfect,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檒l be able to graduate with a nursing degree with all the people in my class.鈥�
Pernsteiner will start MPTC classes this fall while also playing her junior volleyball season as a key member of the team. She is an accomplished student who won a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Scholar-Athlete Award as a freshman and was named to the College Sports Communicators NCAA Division III Academic All-District Team.
鈥淐oach has really helped me not worry about how my schedule will work and taken the stress off, which is really helpful,鈥� Pernsteiner said. 鈥淗e has my back, which is nice.鈥�
This summer will mark two years as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) for Pernsteiner, who worked at Marshfield Medical Center last summer.
After graduation, she hopes to start as an RN in labor and delivery like her sister-in-law and role model, Brittany. In the future, she鈥檚 interested in exploring a role as a nurse anesthetist.
鈥�(Brittany) tells me stories about her job and it clarifies what I want to do,鈥� Pernsteiner said. 鈥淚 love working with patients. You get to really know them sometimes. I鈥檓 with some of them for weeks at a time, and you see them at their lowest, then in two weeks you get to see them at their best when they leave. That鈥檚 rewarding.鈥�
The new program comes at an important time. The Wisconsin Hospital Association鈥檚 20th annual workforce report found that growth in Wisconsin鈥檚 nursing workforce is lagging behind the growth needed to meet current and future demand. The report emphasized the need to expand career pathway options to grow Wisconsin鈥檚 health care workforce.
Additionally, nursing topped the 2023 list of the most commonly sought occupations in Wisconsin based on number of job postings.
鈥淢PTC is a perfect partner because our missions align in that we seek out innovative partnerships to improve access to degrees,鈥� said 糖心vlog传媒 President Beth Borgen. 鈥淚n this case, we will build the nursing workforce within our communities.鈥�
